Casatax : Help to become a property owner in Geneva

Casatax:  help to become a property owner in Geneva. Buying without equity is not possible. However, Casatax allows you to reduce the amount of equity required to pay for registration fees. You can obtain this reduction under certain conditions, which we summarize for you below.

Let’s start with a quick definition…

What is Casatax ?

It was thanks to a popular initative presented in 2002 by the Geneva Real Estate Chambre (CGI) that this regulaton was adopted. Its ai mis to facilitate access to property in the canton of Geneva. If you are curious, you will find the Casatax provisions in the Registration Fees Act (LDE art. 8A).

Casatax allows you to reduce the cost of purchasing your home by reducing the tax levied when purchasing real estate.

In fact, your registration fees are reduced by half. This may seem like much, but 1.5% of the property value is a lot when this 1.5% must be financed by your own funds! Because it is not possible for you to borrow to pay the registration fees, nor to use the funds from your 2^nd pillar. Your « purchase costs » can only be financed with your own savings.

This 50% tax rebate applies to rights linked to the transfer of property and mortgage deeds. The reduction takes place immediately, and you therefore do not have to pay these funds upon purchase. Provided, however, that you respect the conditions provided for by law.

How to benefit from Casatax?

As a new owner, you can benefit from the “Casatax discount” if you meet the following conditions:

• The purchase price must be lower than an amount readjusted on March 1st of each year according to the Geneva Construction Index (see the current amount below)
• You agree to make this property your principal home:
  • You must provide proof of this to the Administration within 2 years following your purchase (this involves sending the appropriate form and a proof of address)
  • You must stay there for a minimum of 3 years
• You must be a natural person (if the purchase is made by a company, Casatax does not apply)
• You must request to benefit from Casatax during the transfer of ownership. In fact. The Casatax discount cannot be obtained after the fact. This is why your broker and your notary coordinate to include this right in the deed of purchase. A note is then entered in the Land Register.

What happens if any of these conditions are not met within the stipulated time frame?

The discount granted during the sale is claimed by the tax authority. For example: if the owner sells his property before the end of the 3 years of stay, the State will ask him for reimbursement of the reduction offered.

The property purchased must be accommodation to benefit from the « Casatax discount ». It can be a PPE apartment or a house. Finding a villa meeting this scale is rather rare in the current real estate market. However, it is not impossible ! So, in 2022, among our clients, a family was lucky enough to benefit from this tax advantage to buy the house of their dreams.

What is the Casatax discount in 2023?

From March 1, 2023, the adaptation of the new Casatax amounts is as follows*:

• The purchase price of the property must be less than CHF 1’335’749.- (formerly CHF 1’258’454.-)
• La réduction maximale du droit de vente s’élève à CHF 20’036.- (anciennement CHF 18’877.-).

Indeed, the Geneva construction index shows an annual variation of around +6,1%.

Clearly, if you buy accommodation for your main residence whose price does not exceed CHF 1’335’749, you can save up to CHF 20’036 on registrations fees.

In 2023 again, Casatax is therefore a real help for becoming a property owner in Geneva.

*Weekly Statement from the State Council, February 5, 2025

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